Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

The aroma of simmering tomatoes, Italian herbs, and melting cheese fills your kitchen as this Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup works its magic throughout the day. This comforting one-pot wonder transforms the beloved layers of traditional lasagna into a hearty, spoonable delight that captures all those classic flavors without the fuss of assembly. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings, Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup delivers the soul-satisfying taste of homemade Italian cuisine with minimal effort. You’ll learn how to create a rich, flavor-packed soup that tastes like it took hours of careful attention—when really, your slow cooker did all the work.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup recipe will quickly become a family favorite for so many reasons. First, it’s incredibly convenient—just layer ingredients in your slow cooker, set it, and forget it until dinnertime. The hands-off cooking method means you can prep it in the morning and return to a dinner that’s ready to serve.

The texture contrasts make this soup truly special. Each spoonful delivers tender pasta, savory ground meat, and creamy melted cheese against the backdrop of a rich tomato broth. Unlike traditional lasagna that requires precise layering and baking time, this soup version is virtually foolproof.

The flavor development during the slow cooking process is remarkable—ingredients have hours to meld together, creating depth that quick-cooked recipes simply can’t match. The aroma alone will have everyone asking “when’s dinner?” long before it’s ready. Plus, this lasagna-inspired soup satisfies those comfort food cravings without the heaviness of a traditional pasta dish, making it perfect for year-round enjoyment.

Ingredients

For the Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup, you’ll need:

• 1 pound (454g) lean ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup/160g)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon/9g)
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 can (28 oz/794g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (14.5 oz/411g) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (6 oz/170g) tomato paste
• 4 cups (946ml) low-sodium chicken or beef broth
• 2 teaspoons (5g) Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
• ½ teaspoon (2g) black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 oz (227g) lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
• ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream (optional)

For the cheese topping:
• 1 cup (226g) ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (113g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons (8g) fresh basil, chopped

The Italian sausage provides authentic flavor to this hearty lasagna soup, while the combination of three tomato products creates a rich, complex base. Breaking the lasagna noodles into bite-sized pieces makes this soup easier to eat while maintaining the classic lasagna texture experience.

Pro Tips

Browning for Maximum Flavor: Always brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker. This extra 5-minute step develops a deep flavor foundation that makes a tremendous difference in the final taste of your Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup. The caramelization creates complex flavors that simply can’t develop in the moist environment of the slow cooker.

Pasta Timing Is Everything: Add the broken lasagna noodles only during the final 30-45 minutes of cooking time. This ensures they’ll be perfectly al dente rather than mushy. If you plan to be away all day, you can alternatively cook the pasta separately just before serving and add it to individual bowls with the hot soup ladled over top. This approach also works well if you’re planning to freeze portions for later enjoyment.

Create a Restaurant-Quality Finish: For an elevated presentation and flavor boost, create a “cheese pull” effect by adding your ricotta mixture just before serving rather than stirring it in. Place a dollop of the cheese mixture in each bowl, ladle the hot soup around it, then sprinkle with extra mozzarella. The contrast between the hot soup and cool cheese creates that irresistible stretchy cheese experience that makes lasagna soup so satisfying.

Instructions

Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, then brown the ground beef or Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. When the meat is about halfway cooked through (about 3-4 minutes), add the diced onion and continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink and onions are translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more until fragrant.

Step 2: Transfer the meat mixture to your slow cooker (at least 6-quart capacity). Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, broth, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The longer cooking time allows the flavors to develop more deeply, but either setting will work depending on your schedule.

Step 4: About 30-45 minutes before serving, add the broken lasagna noodles to the slow cooker. Stir gently to submerge the pasta in the liquid. Cover and continue cooking until the pasta is tender. If the soup seems too thick, add an additional 1/2 cup of broth.

Step 5: While the pasta finishes cooking, prepare the cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, half the mozzarella, and the Parmesan cheese. Stir well and set aside.

Step 6: Once the pasta is tender, remove the bay leaves. If using, stir in the heavy cream for added richness. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt and pepper.

Step 7: To serve your Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup, ladle into bowls and top each with a generous dollop of the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and fresh basil. The heat from the soup will slightly melt the cheese, creating that classic lasagna experience in every spoonful.

Variations

Vegetarian Lasagna Soup: Transform this Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup into a meatless delight by substituting the ground meat with 2 cups of chopped vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. For added protein, include 1 cup of rinsed and drained cannellini beans or lentils. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken or beef broth. The hearty vegetables will provide excellent texture while maintaining the comforting essence of the original recipe.

Creamy White Lasagna Soup: For a decadent twist, create a white lasagna soup variation by omitting the tomato products and using 4 cups of chicken broth, 2 cups of half-and-half (added in the last hour of cooking), and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Include 2 cups of chopped chicken breast or rotisserie chicken and 2 cups of fresh spinach added just before serving. This variation offers all the creamy comfort of white lasagna with the convenience of slow cooker preparation.

Gluten-Free Option: This soup can be easily adapted for gluten-free diets by substituting regular lasagna noodles with gluten-free lasagna noodles or other gluten-free pasta shapes. Be sure to check that your broth and other packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free as well. Since gluten-free pasta often cooks more quickly, add it during the final 20-30 minutes of cooking and check for doneness frequently.

Storage and Serving

Your Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Note that the pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so you may need to add additional broth when reheating. For longer storage, freeze portions without the cheese mixture for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stovetop or microwave.

When serving this hearty soup, consider complementing it with a simple side salad dressed with Italian vinaigrette and some crusty garlic bread for dipping. The contrast of crisp salad and warm, savory soup creates a balanced meal. For a more substantial presentation, serve the Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup in bread bowls—hollow out round sourdough loaves for an impressive and edible vessel.

For entertaining, set up a lasagna soup bar with various toppings beyond the cheese mixture. Consider offering extra fresh herbs, red pepper flakes, additional cheeses, and even crispy pancetta or bacon bits. This interactive approach makes the meal more engaging and allows guests to customize their soup to their preferences.

FAQs

Can I make this Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare all ingredients through Step 2 up to 24 hours in advance. Store the mixture in the refrigerator overnight, then transfer to your slow cooker and proceed with cooking according to the instructions. This makes morning prep even quicker.

What if I don’t have lasagna noodles?
Any pasta shape works well in this soup. Rotini, farfalle, or even regular egg noodles make excellent substitutes. Just adjust the final cooking time as smaller pasta shapes may cook more quickly than broken lasagna noodles.

Can I make this in an Instant Pot instead?
Absolutely. Use the sauté function to brown the meat and vegetables, then add remaining ingredients except pasta and cheese. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, then quick release, add pasta, and use the sauté function to simmer until pasta is tender (about 8-10 minutes).

My soup seems too thick. What should I do?
The pasta will absorb liquid as it cooks. Simply add more broth, 1/2 cup at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Remember that the soup will also thicken slightly as it cools.

Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Yes, but freeze it without the pasta and cheese topping for best results. When ready to serve, thaw the soup base, heat it up, cook pasta separately, and add the fresh cheese topping when serving.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup is comfort food at its finest — a spoonable, savory delight that captures all the beloved flavors of traditional lasagna with minimal effort. It’s the kind of dish that solves busy weeknight dinner dilemmas while still feeling special enough for weekend gatherings. The balance of tangy tomatoes, savory meat, tender pasta, and creamy cheese creates a crave-worthy meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for satisfying meal prep options, this recipe delivers on both flavor and convenience, proving that the best comfort foods can indeed come from the simplest preparations.

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